Billy Sims was drafted No. 1 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1980 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. 60 regular-season games · 5 seasons as a starter · 58 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #1
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1980
- NFL games
- 60
- Years as starter
- 5
- Career AV
- 5814th at Oklahoma
- Pro Bowls
- 3
The pick
How Billy Sims came off the board in 1980.
- Position
- Running back RB
- College
-
Oklahoma
SEC at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
60 regular-season games · 5 seasons as a starter · 58 career approximate value
- Games played
- 60
- Seasons as a starter
- 5
- Career approximate value
- 5814th among Oklahoma picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 58100% of career value
- Final season
- 19844 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 3× Pro Bowl
Around pick 1
Who came off the board on either side of Billy Sims.
Texas
USC · Hall of Fame · 9× All-Pro · 11× Pro Bowl
Oklahoma in the 1980 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other RB picks from Oklahoma
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Adrian Peterson
RB · MIN · 2007
Oklahoma · 4× All-Pro · 7× Pro Bowl
#71
DeMarco Murray
RB · DAL · 2011
Oklahoma · 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#48
Joe Mixon
RB · CIN · 2017
Oklahoma · 2× Pro Bowl
#120
Rhamondre Stevenson
RB · NE · 2021
Oklahoma
#114
Samaje Perine
RB · WAS · 2017
Oklahoma
#26
Steve Sewell
RB · DEN · 1985
Oklahoma
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Billy Sims in the 1980 NFL Draft
Billy Sims is a Running back out of Oklahoma selected No. 1 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1980 NFL Draft. 60 regular-season games · 5 seasons as a starter · 58 career approximate value Oklahoma has produced 224 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Billy Sims drafted?
Billy Sims was selected No. 1 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1980 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1980/billy-sims.
What college did Billy Sims play for?
Billy Sims played college football at Oklahoma in the SEC. See every Oklahoma draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/oklahoma-sooners.
How did Billy Sims's NFL career turn out?
60 regular-season games · 5 seasons as a starter · 58 career approximate value Accolades: 3× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1980/billy-sims.